Summer Happenings {Exploring Our Own Backyard}

This summer has been one of the best to date! Honestly, in my entire adult life I haven't had so much fun. The excuse is? Kids. Having kids is really, really fun. I mean, it's really, really hard too but so much more exciting. Couple of weeks ago we ventured out onto my sister's property to explore the woods and do some pretend fishing. One day we will fish for real. We found crawfish, splashed in the creek, climbed some rocks and got completely wet all in the name of exploring. I mean when else would you venture out into the woods on a weekday afternoon? Never! Except the Jonathan has been asking me to go hiking and this was perfect opportunity. I mean we didn't exactly go far but they enjoyed it. 

It doesn't matter where or how you do it - get out there and explore. We live in a very picturesque place yet, so many places we didn't even know about. This year we are making a point of visiting old favorites and exploring new ones. Hope you have a great weekend! 

Thank you for stopping by!

Six Flags Parks (New England vs. Great Escape) Review

Let me start by saying that this is not a sponsored post and I'm just writing it because I didn't find this information anywhere else. Maybe one of you will find it helpful since I've had ton of people ask me where we went and how did it go.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ESCAPE (Lake George, NY)

Positive

- the park is divided into two sections - roller coasters/rides and water park. All the water activities are in one place with its own cafe and locker rooms

- there are plenty of bathrooms all over the park 

- great section for little ones under 8yrs old. They have a section that has smaller versions of big rides just for young kids in the middles of the park. It has cute little houses they can play in and run around together exploring

- the kids section offers a train ride that goes quite the ways around with scenic road along a pond with beautiful water lilies

- the afro mentioned pond offers rides on swan boats, and a beaver who lives in the bushes, ducks that feed on left over crumbs and plenty of frogs to keep little ones' eyes glued to the water.

- good selection of roller coasters of 'not so crazy rides'

- fairly good sized park with little bit of everything for people of every age especially for families with little children

- lots to do for those who don't like roller coasters

- adorable diner and ice cream place right across the road from parking lot

- everything is accessible by stroller and there are no stairs to climb

- there are a lot of food options in the area within a few minutes drive

- very clean park with garbage cans everywhere

- good security system and up to date scans

Negative

- the cafe in the water park area offers beer which I don't think is a very smart choice given that you are next to water and surface is very slippery. It's very easy to trip and fall especially if you are tipsy

- the water in park is very cold. It's straight from tap and isn't heated anywhere

- the height restrictions don't allow kids under the limit to go with an adult on some rides, so there is a minimum and maximum height

- food offerings are limited and as usual way too expensive

- we bought our season passes to be used at all Six Flags parks but only my husband and I redeemed our cards while we were in Six Flags New England. Our kids still didn't have cards when we were entering Six Flags Great Escape. As we approached the scanner it told us that we are at a wrong park. Basically you have to get your cards at the park that you are intending to visit the first time. Since we did have a proof of purchase with us, they let us in 'just this time'. Next time we have to drive to MA to get our Six Flags Season Membership cards. This is ridiculous. Since you buy the membership for all parks you should be able to get the card wherever. I think.

- they do not enforce the dress code and a lot of people were walking in bathing suits all over the park

OVERALL

We loved it. It had enough to do for our little kids and they were excited to go on all the small rides. The park was clean and had a very nice feel to it. We will definitely make this our park and come back again which makes buying season passes worth it.

SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND (Agawam, MA)

Positive

- large park with a lot to do for all ages

- mostly designed for older children (8yrs old and up) and adults who love roller coasters

- lots of different roller coasters with many themes and speeds

- largest  and tallest Spider Man roller coaster ride in New England (221 ft drop at 77mph)

- tallest swing ride in the world which offers awesome views (I assume ha!)

- great for those seeking thrills and huge rides with older kids or alone

Negative

- not designed for small children in mind. It does have a section with few rides for little ones but there are huge towering coasters ride above with people screaming and ruining the whole experience

- food options are very poor, no good healthy choices

- the parking lot is way too far from the park itself. it took us good 15 minutes to walk from our car to the entrance

- the cards are attached to your finger print in their electronic system (at both parks) and no one except you can use the card.

- you have to rent a locker for most maximum thrill rides because they do not hold on to your valuables while you ride. 

- maybe it was just me but music was glaring everywhere 

OVERALL

Not a good place for families with little children but awesome place for kids who love coasters. Best thrill rides in New England for the value. I think if you like thrill rides the season passes is totally worth it, they have a large selection of rides for all thrill seekers. I did not enjoy myself at all because I got sick after the very first ride. After that, no amount of pep talk could get me to ride anymore roller coasters. 

Hope you find it helpful and enjoy whichever park you choose. Take the time and be with your families, do something everyone enjoys! 

Summer Happenings {Berry Picking}

I love summer! Around our parts, it is very short, hot and humid. But those days we savor every minute and try not to complain about the heat. We go berry picking every year. Starting with strawberries, then raspberries and blueberries. They are in abundance in upstate New York, which we absolutely love. This year strawberries weren't very good considering all the rain but we are looking forward to canning some raspberry jam and eating tons of blueberries. 

We went later in the morning which turned into a muggy and hot afternoon. It wasn't all that popular with kids who wanted to get outta there asap. But nevertheless, they had fun. It's so sweet watching them discover things. Abbie was so excited finding all the ripe blueberries and caught on very quick that only blue ones are yummy. She wasn't a fan of raspberry picking because leaves a bit prickly. Jonathan was a great sport, while I was carrying Abbie around, he picked quite a few berries on his own. I was so very proud of him! 

Although I am very goal oriented person, I try to relax and enjoy kids and see it for what it's worth. Of course, we didn't pick many berries but we enjoyed our time together and the kids learned too a few things too. Hope you get to enjoy some fresh picked berries this summer too!

For Better and For Worse

When I go through perfectly edited blog posts and see nicely done family photos, I start to think that some couples have it all together. Their kids look great on Christmas cards and their Instagram accounts are just a mile-high pile of perfect corners of their house. How do they seem to have it all and I have a snotty infant and a messy kitchen? 

First I got jealous but then I got real. We only show what we want on this little space and paint the image we want others to see. It goes with everything from clothes to children to bedtime stands. Yes, great images and perfect posts help build following and people may PINterest the heck out of your images but that's not real you they see. They see a version of you, and usually it's the best version. 

I, for one, don't have it all together. There are times when I feel discouraged by the smallest following ever, feel angry at my husband for not being a bit more sensitive and run out of patience with my son. We are far from perfect and that's something I want to share

We started as any couple - full of dreams, hopes and aspirations. I really thought that we were different than everybody else, that our story was special and the love we had would keep the fire burning forever.          But I was naive, young and very wrong. 

Fire will not keep burning unless you keep putting firewood into it. If you keep burning on the first love logs, soon the fire will die and you will be left with nothing but cold coils. 

Behind every outfit, lovely smile, and baby picture there is always a story.

The cute pictures of Jonathan at the park have a less then perfect behind the scenes story. 

We started the day off with nice family breakfast and as I was cleaning up, hubby went outside to rake leaves. The weather was gorgeous and I thought we could go for a nice walk. I asked him, and he said, later. Fine. Later it is. (I probably had a little bit of attitude there)

I thought we would go the park near by, take some pictures of Jonathan, enjoy the warmth of the autumn sun and just hang out as a family. My husband on the other hand, thought that I meant walk around the neighborhood. So we were bickering and getting impatient about who said what, and in the process, I forgot to grab diapers and a bottle for Jonathan

Then, of course, I had to do my make-up and hair and was taking a little longer than he thought was appropriate amount of time to get ready to go to the park. 

(We have very different ideas about time limits, apparently)

As we got into the car and drove off, I realized that the stroller was still in the garage, as I took Jonathan for a walk the day before. We had to turn around and go back for the stroller, as husband reminded me about my absentmindedness yet again.

Needless to say, by the time we got to the park, we were in less than pleasant mood. 

But those are the times when it takes some work. 

It takes a calm and gentle voice of one person to bring the other one back into the good place. To remind yourselves, that everything is OK and the most important part is that you are together. 

I have to admit, it's not easy. Sometimes, I fail at being gentle and calm and blow up like a hot air balloon. Other times, I'm full of love and good intentions and nothing seems to bother me. 

Life is full of those moments. But it's the ability to learn, to moved passed it, to enjoy life in every way, to laugh at the weird parts and to forgive each other for the mistakes. I'm still working on that.

After all, we sighed up for better and for worse.

Glimmerglass Queens (and a Prince)

Last weekend my sister, mom and NkI headed out for a gals (and kids) day out. We took a boat ride and strolled through the streets of one of the prettiest towns in Upstate New York. It was a gorgeous day for being outside and exploring, having some delicious bakery and watching the kids' reaction to water. Here is our day in recap.

Jonathan slept through half the boat ride, then attracted every grandma on the boat with his adorable smile.
Must be nice.

My mom, niece, sister, Jonathan and I (love his look)

We barely made it to our first ever boat ride. It was pretty awesome.

All hands on deck. Or in the mouth.

My niece rocking the rich and snobby look.

Must pose for outfit picture.

Must pose for outfit picture #2

Cool old fashioned theater turned into a store. Fo' shame.

There is something behind the closed gate.

Apparently this guy is famous. 

The architecture in the old town is always very romantic.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Style Elixir, Her And Nicole

On The Lake

We went to one of out favorite spots last weekend - it's a state park with two lakes that you can walk around. It's a quiet and remote place with mostly runners and very few people. It's so peaceful and the lakes are beautiful green color that you just can't capture in a picture. 

It was a perfect day and reminded me of our good ole' days when we used to sneak out and just drive up to the lake and walk. We would walk and talk for hours.
Now we just tell each other what to do. Haha. Just kidding. I tell him what to do and he doesn't listen. 

Anywho, we had a lovely time.

Hope you guys have a great weekend! 

Enjoy the summer and get out to do something fun.